Hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow

ABSTRACT

A hand-maneuvered snow plow includes a wedge-shaped blade including a pair of blade panels disposed at an angle relative to each other to define the wedge-shape. The blade has at least one centrally disposed hinge at a junction of the blade panels. In one embodiment, at least another hinge is disposed at an intermediate portion of each of the blade panels, respectively, enabling the snow plow to be folded to a storage position. A heating element is secured to a bottom edge of the blade, and a handle with a control unit for the heating element is attached to a rear side of the blade. The snow clearing plow provides an efficient and easy to maneuver tool for clearing snow from roadways, while being foldable into a compact storage configuration. When fully extended, the snow clearing plow may clear a path that is wide enough for a mid-size sedan or larger in a single pass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a snow clearing plow and, more particularly, to a foldable hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow including a heating element.

[0002] Clearing snow from driveways and the like is often a difficult task. Typically, a homeowner will use a snow shovel that is designed for shoveling large amounts of snow by hand. The user shovels snow in rows or columns substantially corresponding to a width of the shovel. The process is time consuming and requires significant cardiovascular effort, which can be dangerous in extreme temperatures.

[0003] It would thus be desirable to provide a hand-operable snow clearing plow that clears a large area, such as the width of a car or more, with considerably less effort than a conventional snow shovel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The snow clearing plow of the invention provides an efficient and easy to maneuver tool for clearing snow from roadways, while being foldable into a compact storage configuration. When fully extended, the snow clearing plow may clear a path that is wide enough for a mid-size sedan or larger in a single pass. A heating element coupled with the bottom end of the plow enables the plow to handle deeper snow more efficiently.

[0005] According to the present invention, the hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow includes a wedge-shaped blade having at least one hinge, a heating element secured to a bottom edge of the blade, and a handle attached to a rear side of the blade. The blade preferably includes at least three hinges, wherein one of the three hinges is disposed at an apex of the blade such that the blade is pivotable between an open use position and a closed storage position. A locking mechanism is disposed in adjacent cooperation with the one of the three hinges, wherein the locking mechanism selectively locks the blade in the use position. The blade may include a pair of blade panels disposed at an angle relative to each other to thereby define the wedge-shape, wherein others of the three hinges are disposed at intermediate portions of the blade panels, respectively. The handle may have a hinge at a central portion thereof and may be removable.

[0006] Preferably, the snow clearing plow includes a source of heat communicating with the heating element. In this context, the source of heat is electricity, wherein the heating element is a resistance heating element. Alternatively, the source of heat may be a chemical composition, wherein the heating element is a carrier substrate for the chemical composition. A controller may be attached to the handle that communicates with the source of heat and controls an application of heat to the heating element.

[0007] The blade may be formed of metal such as aluminum or a metal alloy and preferably spans a width of at least 10 feet.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow includes a wedge-shaped blade having at least one hinge such that the blade is pivotable at its center, a handle attached to a rear side of the blade, a heating element secured to a bottom edge of the blade, and structure for heating the heating element.

[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow includes a wedge-shaped blade including a pair of blade panels disposed at an angle relative to each other defining the wedge-shape, the blade having at least one centrally disposed hinge at a junction of the blade panels and at least another hinge disposed at an intermediate portion of each of the blade panels, respectively; a heating element secured to a bottom edge of the blade; and a handle attached to a rear side of the blade, wherein the blade spans a width of at least 10 feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other aspects of the invention will described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to the invention; and

[0012]FIG. 2 is a heating element circuit drawing of the snow clearing plow according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow 10 according to the present invention includes a wedge-shaped blade 12 including a pair of blade panels 12 a, 12 b disposed at an angle relative to each other to define the wedge shape as shown. The blade 12 may be formed of metal such as aluminum or a metal alloy and preferably spans a width of at least 10-15 linear feet (snow-clearing width). A central hinge 14 at the apex of the panels 12 a, 12 b enables the panels 12 a, 12 b of the blade 12 to be pivoted between a closed position and an open position, and a lock mechanism 16 serves to lock the panels 12 a, 12 b relative to each other for use. Any suitable locking mechanism mounted between the panels 12 a, 12 b could be used.

[0014] In a preferred arrangement, each of the blade panels 12 a, 12 b is provided with an intermediate hinge 18 at a central area thereof and a corresponding lock mechanism 20, respectively. A handle 22, which may be suited for one or two operators, is secured in handle connecting channels 24 secured to each of the panels 12 a, 12 b . In a use position, each of the lock mechanisms 16, 20 is locked so that the snow clearing plow 10 defines a rigid wedge shape. In a storage position, the lock mechanisms 16, 20 are released, and the plow 10 can be folded on itself via the hinges 14, 18. That is, when lock mechanism 16 is released, the panels 12 a, 12 b can be pivoted toward each other to a closed position, and when lock mechanisms 20 are released, each of the panels 12 a, 12 b can be further folded in half, providing a compact and easily storable configuration.

[0015] The handle 22 may be slip fit into the handle connecting channels 24 for removal prior to folding the clearing plow 10, or the handle may include a handle hinge 26, enabling handle halves to pivot to a folded position. Adjustable height wheels 27 may be secured to a rear side of the blade panels 12 a, 12 b to facilitate the snow plow's maneuverability.

[0016] A heating element 28 is secured to a bottom edge of the blade panels 12 a, 12 b , which is connected across the hinges by suitable wiring and the like. A controller 30 is attached to the handle 22 for convenient operator access. The controller 30 includes an ON/OFF switch for activating the heating element 28 and a control implement for selecting LOW/MED/HIGH or the like. Referring to FIG. 2, the heating element 28 is preferably a resistance heating element coupled in series with a power source 32 such as batteries or even an AC power source. The controller 30 controls power source output to vary the temperature of the heating element 28. Alternatively, the power source 32 may be a chemical composition, wherein the heating element 28 is a carrier substrate for the chemical composition.

[0017] In use, one or more operators drive the snow clearing plow along a roadway center. Since a linear width of the snow clearing plow is at least 10 feet, an area can be cleared that is wide enough for at least a mid-size sedan in a single pass. The cleared snow is pushed to the sides of the cleared area by the wedge shape of the plow. In particularly difficult areas, the operator can activate the heating element to facilitate clearing.

[0018] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow comprising: a wedge-shaped blade having at least one hinge; a heating element secured to a bottom edge of said blade; and a handle attached to a rear side of said blade.
 2. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said blade comprises at least three hinges.
 3. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 2, wherein one of said three hinges is disposed at an apex of said blade such that said blade is pivotable between an open use position and a closed storage position.
 4. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism disposed in adjacent cooperation with said one of said three hinges, said locking mechanism selectively locking said blade in said use position.
 5. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 3, wherein said blade comprises a pair of blade panels disposed at an angle relative to each other to thereby define the wedge-shape, and wherein others of the three hinges are disposed at intermediate portions of said blade panels, respectively.
 6. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a hinge at a central portion thereof.
 7. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said handle is removable.
 8. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, further comprising a source of heat communicating with said heating element.
 9. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 8, wherein said source of heat is electricity, and wherein said heating element is a resistance heating element.
 10. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 8, wherein said source of heat is a chemical composition, and wherein said heating element is a carrier substrate for said chemical composition.
 11. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 8, further comprising a controller attached to said handle and communicating with said source of heat, said controller controlling an application of heat to said heating element.
 12. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said blade is formed of a metal alloy.
 13. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said blade is formed of metal.
 14. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 13, wherein said blade is formed of aluminum.
 15. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 1, wherein said blade spans a width of at least 10 feet.
 16. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 15, wherein said blade spans a width of 10-15 feet.
 17. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 15, wherein said blade spans a width of 10-12 feet.
 18. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow comprising: a wedge-shaped blade having at least one hinge such that said blade is pivotable at its center; a handle attached to a rear side of said blade; a heating element secured to a bottom edge of said blade; and means for heating said heating element.
 19. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 18, wherein said heating means comprises electricity, and wherein said heating element is a resistance heating element.
 20. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 18, wherein said heating means is a chemical composition, and wherein said heating element is a carrier substrate for said chemical composition.
 21. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow according to claim 18, further comprising a controller attached to said handle and communicating with said heating means, said controller controlling an application of heat to said heating element.
 22. A hand-maneuvered snow clearing plow comprising: a wedge-shaped blade including a pair of blade panels disposed at an angle relative to each other defining the wedge-shape, the blade having at least one centrally disposed hinge at a junction of said blade panels and at least another hinge disposed at an intermediate portion of each of said blade panels, respectively a heating element secured to a bottom edge of said blade; and a handle attached to a rear side of said blade, wherein said blade spans a width of at least 10 feet. 